Get Quotes from Top TV Repair Services in San Francisco, CA

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a TV Repairman in San Francisco

More than 266 million Americans watch their TVs on any given day, making this the top choice leisure activity in the country. With TVs being such an indispensable part of many US households, it is normal to want your faulty TV repaired as quickly as possible.

However, attempting these repairs yourself will more than likely worsen the problem and see you ultimately spending hundreds of dollars replacing the TV. On the flip side, getting a professional TV repair service saves you money by ensuring that the TV is expertly fixed per its manufacturer's specifications and with genuine parts.

Asking the following questions when searching for professional TV repair services in San Francisco can help ensure that you select qualified and well-priced TV technicians capable of getting your faulty TV functioning normally again:

Do You Repair All Types of TVs?

A key step to finding good TV repair services in San Francisco is determining whether your intended TV repairman is familiar with the brand and model of your TV, especially with regard to the features listed below:

  • Screen Type: modern TVs mostly come with either flat or curved screens. The primary distinction between both is that flat-screen TVs typically need you to sit squarely in front of them for a good view, whereas curved-screen TVs allow good viewing angles from any seating position.
  • Display Technology: common TV display technologies include:
    • Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT)/Direct View: this type of display technology is typically found in older TVs. Although these types of TVs tend to be bulkier, have smaller screens, and use more energy than newer TVs, they are also less expensive, have faster refresh rates, and can be used with any resolution or device.
    • Plasma: these TVs provide images that are sharper and more contrasted than tube TVs, although the quality of their images often degrades over time. While plasma TVs are relatively inexpensive, this display technology is regarded as being outdated.
    • Digital Light Processing (DLP): DLP TVs are typically more durable, lighter, and thinner than plasma TVs. However, this display technology is only used for a few newer TV models.
    • Liquid Crystal Display (LCD): LCD TVs are thin, light, and energy-efficient, with lower refresh and response speeds than CRT and plasma TVs. However, they do not generally have good viewing angles.
    • Light Emitting Diode (LED): these TVs have a better and sharper image quality than LCD TVs, use even less energy, but are considerably more expensive. Newer TV models often come with variations of this technology, like OLED, QLED, and AMOLED, which have even better image quality and lower energy consumption than LED TVs
  • Extra Features: these include brand or model-specific features like Ultra-High Definition, High Dynamic Range, Voice Activation, and smart TVs/internet connectivity

Never hire any TV repairman who is not familiar with the brand of your TV, as this suggests that they do not have the knowledge and expertise to fix it. Also, ensure that you confirm their area of specialization before making any commitments to them, and make sure that any agreements you reach with the TV repairman are made in writing.

Do You Deal with All the Brands of TV?

Residents of San Francisco have a wide selection of TV brands to choose from, including

Brand Highlights Drawbacks Calling Card
Samsung Impressive TV quality
4K & 8K options
Smart TV options
Pricey QLED and QD-OLED
Sony Great sound and picture quality
HDR and Smart TV options are readily available
Eco-friendly
Pricey Cognitive Processor XR Chip and Mini-LED
LG Sleek designs
Affordable models
Smart TV options
No HDR 10+ support OLED
Hisense Great value at low prices
Sizes of up to 100" available
Processing issues Variety
TCL Roku and Google compatible
Up to 8K
Affordable options
Processing and picture quality may not be up-to-par with pricier models Value
Vizio Affordable
4K resolutions
OS may lag and be buggy Quantum

Most San Francisco-based TV repair services typically have technicians who can repair various TV brands, regardless of their make or display technologies. However, because these brands usually have different model-specific characteristics, verifying that the TV repair technician you plan to hire has experience with your TV's precise make and model is crucial.

To this end, always confirm that the technician working on your TV has the requisite training and expertise for the job and is conversant with the TV's specific brand, model, screen type, and display technology before they start any work.

Can You Advise if I Repair or Replace My TV?

Most contemporary TV brands are designed to last up to 10 - 15 years of regular use. While it is typically cost-effective to repair your TV if it develops any faults within this timeframe, buying a new one may be the better option in certain situations. Scenarios where it may be better to replace your faulty TV rather than repair it include:

  • The TV is older than ten years
  • You have fixed the particular issue several times
  • The TV has been physically damaged
  • The problem is with the TV's panel
  • The TV has hardware problems

A skilled and reliable TV repair technician will typically inspect your faulty device and subsequently let you know whether the TV can be fixed or if you would be better off replacing it. Nevertheless, you can also decide whether your faulty TV is worth fixing and avoid getting conned by dishonest TV repair professionals who are just interested in collecting diagnostic and service fees by doing the following:

  • Troubleshooting: peruse the TV's user guide and TV manufacturer's website to see if they contain information on the issue as well as potential remedies
  • Research costs: find out how much it would cost to fix the TV and compare that to the price of buying a new one. You can also ask up to three different TV repair technicians if they offer free cost estimates and compare their prices.
  • Miscellaneous factors: consider additional factors that can affect your choice of repairing or replacing your TV. For example, it is expected to want to get a new TV when moving into a newly built or remodeled home.

Are All Your Repair Experts Certified?

Checking the educational and technical backgrounds of your prospective TV repair technicians is essential in determining their capacity to deliver satisfactory services. Professional TV repair technicians in the San Francisco area typically complete formal training programs and earn degrees or certifications from regional trade schools and internationally recognized electronics repair-related organizations like

  • The Electronics Technicians Association International
  • The International Society of Certified Electronic Technicians
  • City College of San Francisco
  • Merced College

Note that any credentials your intended TV repairman claims to have should always be confirmed with the appropriate issuing organization before they begin any work. It is also a good idea to make sure that the TV repair service can get in touch with the manufacturer of your TV brand and request technical support from them if necessary.

Do You Offer Same-Day Repair Services?

The average American home uses its television for nearly seven hours every day. As such, learning how quickly your faulty TV will be repaired is crucial because it enables you to make plans to accommodate the disruption to the established TV-watching routine in your household typically caused by a malfunctioning TV. Some common TV malfunctions and problems include

  • Poorly synced audio or video
  • Distorted images
  • No sound or picture
  • Color blanching or leaking
  • Out-of-proportion images
  • Lines appearing on the screen
  • Grayed-out screen
  • Dark and dull pictures
  • Ill-fitting images
  • Powering off on its own
  • Remote control no longer works
  • No longer connects to the internet

Even though professional San Francisco TV repair technicians are typically equipped to fix many of these issues within a few hours, you should always get confirmation from your intended technician. Also, find out if the faulty TV can be repaired on-site or must be brought to the technician's shop. Typical TV issues that generally have to be fixed at the service technician's shop and may require more than 24 hours to repair include:

  • Broken screen replacements
  • Dead motherboard replacements
  • Fried circuit board replacements
  • TV panel replacements

Consider it a red flag if your technician refuses to provide you a projected completion time or date for your repair work or an estimate of your total bill for repairs that will last longer than a day.

Do You Hold the Relevant License for TV Repair Technicians?

TV repair technicians who wish to operate in San Francisco must register with the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) before doing so. Failure to comply with this is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000, a maximum jail sentence of six months, or a combination of both.

Interested technicians who wish to register with the BHGS may do so by filling out and submitting a Service Dealer Application for Registration Form, along with relevant fees and supporting documentation, to

Department of Consumer Affairs
BHGS Licensing
P.O. Box 980578
West Sacramento, CA 95798-0578

Note that these technicians must register each site location they intend to operate from separately. You can contact the BHGS at (916) 999-2041 or via email for further details or questions about its registration procedure for San Francisco-based TV repair technicians. You can also confirm that your intended technician has been properly registered with this agency via its license/registry search platform.

Many professional San Francisco-based TV repair technicians also offer other types of electronics and appliance-related services in addition to TV repair, such as:

TV mounting and installation:
$100 - $300
TV setup:
$50 - $125 per hour
Smart device setup:
$150 - $1,550
Remote repair:
$10 - $55
Phone repair:
$50 - $700
Computer repair:
$100 - $1,200
VCR system repair:
$45 - $140
Home projector repair:
$125 - $380
Home theater and sound bar repair:
$100 - $320
Household appliance repair:
$50 - $500

Nevertheless, always verify if your preferred TV repair service also offers any non-TV repair services you may need, and make sure that you agree to their rates before concluding hiring arrangements with them. It is also a good idea to find out if you will be offered a discount for requesting multiple services. Note that the overall cost of these extra services will primarily depend on the appliance's brand, make, and model.

Do You Offer Genuine Spare Parts?

The kinds of parts you use for your TV repair have a big impact on its durability subsequent to the repair. As such, once you have determined that your preferred TV repairman is appropriately registered and experienced, confirm that they will be using genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) TV parts for the job. Keep in mind that these parts typically cost more than generic ones.

However, using these types of parts instead of generic ones ensures that existing warranties on your TV remain intact. Other advantages that OEM parts have over generic ones, like

  • Better compatibility with your TV
  • Higher quality and durability
  • They save you money in the long run

Be aware that finding the correct parts for your TV may take anywhere from a few hours to three or four business days. Also, in some cases, your TV repairman may not be able to obtain genuine OEM parts, especially if the production of these parts or your TV model has been discontinued. If this happens, you may have no choice but to use generic parts for the repair.

Are Your Repair Services Covered by a Warranty?

Professional TV repair technicians typically provide warranties for their services, so you should be wary if any technician you want to hire either does not or appears reluctant to do this. These warranties, which are usually valid for three months to one year, assure you that the repair was performed skillfully and with high-quality parts.

Be aware that the terms of any warranty you are offered will depend on the manufacturer and model of the TV it covers and the TV repair specialist who issues it. Nonetheless, many TV repair warranties typically do not cover defects caused by:

  • Normal wear and tear
  • Misuse and improper maintenance
  • Vandalism and natural disasters
  • Power line surges
  • Burn-in and image retention
  • Shipment-related damages
  • Improper installation
  • Cosmetic damages

Note that some warranties require consumers to select TV repair technicians for defects or faults that occur during the coverage period from a pre-approved list. Also, certain defects may necessitate shipping the TV back to the manufacturer to either carry out the repair efficiently or have the TV replaced.

Likewise, popular electronics retailers like Best Buy and Walmart provide their customers with extended protection plans or store warranties. These offer additional coverage for purchased TVs beyond typical manufacturer warranties, such as unintentional damage. Keep in mind that the retailer issuing this extended protection plan determines its terms.

Listed below are some pros and cons of purchasing an extended protection plan for your TV:

Pros of Extended Protection Plans Cons of Extended Protection Plans
Provides additional coverage for TVs Can be quite expensive
Can be used after the original manufacturer's warranty expires Cost is not usually justified for low-end TVs
Offers extra peace of mind Repairs covered usually cost less than the actual plan

Always ask for a written copy of any warranty that you are offered. This way, you can read and comprehend its terms correctly and avoid voiding it.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad TV Repair Service in the San Francisco

Complaints against bad TV repair services in San Francisco can be filled locally with the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and at the state level with the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS).

When searching for professional TV repair services in San Francisco, looking for signs that you may be dealing with a fraudulent repairman is pertinent. Some schemes that these individuals use to con unsuspecting consumers include:

  • Insisting on full payment upfront
  • Purposely damaging unaffected TV components or suddenly "discovering" other serious problems with the TV to jack up their fees
  • Quoting rates for genuine OEM parts but using generic parts instead
  • Lying about their credentials
  • Falsely claiming that TVs with fixable defects need to be replaced

You can avoid becoming a victim of these schemes by taking the following precautions:

  • Ask for a free initial inspection and cost estimate, and compare quotes from several TV repair technicians
  • Always authenticate your intended TV repair technicians' credentials. This includes confirming their registration status with the BHGS.
  • Utilize websites like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google Reviews to check for reviews, testimonials, and complaints on any technician you plan to hire
  • Confirm that you will be issued a warranty for services provided
  • Never pay the full cost of your repairs in advance
  • Keep an eye on the technician if the repair is being done in your home
  • Request a service receipt or claim check for any TVs you drop off at the technician's workshop and an invoice for all completed jobs
  • Get receipts for any purchased parts

You can file complaints against fraudulent TV repair technicians or concerning subpar TV repair services in San Francisco by contacting the San Francisco District Attorney's Office at:

350 Rhode Island Street
North Building
Suite 400N
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (628) 652-4000
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays

Complaints can also be submitted to this office via an online consumer complaint form. These TV repair-related complaints can equally be filed with the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services, either online or by submitting a complaint form to

4244 South Market Court
Suite D
Sacramento, CA, 95834-1243